Historic Walk to Dolphinton

Leaving the Main Street of West Linton, access the A702 to Biggar and take the first turning right into Medwyn Road (10).

Proceed for 1/2 mile then turn left towards the entrance to the Golf Course (2) and walk straight on.

You are now on the former Coach Road from Edinburgh to Biggar which was in use for many centuries before the A702 was opened in 1834.

The Old Coach Road, now a Right of Way, largely follows the course of a Roman Road, which ran along the foot of the Pentland Hills linking the Border Forts to Inveresk and the Forth Estuary.

Aerial photography has recently revealed the site of a large Marching Camp lying to the left across the land now occupied by the golf course (3).

Taking the left hand fork where the track divides at the foot of the hill (4) look for the remains of an old Inn which stood near the slip road to Linton and the route to the south via Moffat.

After crossing the West Water by the old bridge (5) the track winds its way towards Slipperfield Cottages 96).

Turn left and return to the village via the A702 for a short walk of about 2 miles.

Otherwise cross the farm road and proceed south, skirting the foot of Mendick Hill, a local landmark which traditionally is climbed on New Year's morning - no doubt in order to dispel the excesses of Hogmanay!

Half a mile further on the cottage of Hardgatehead (7) is passed on the left. It was here in 1585 that a group of noblemen - the Rebel Lords - met in order to plan the recapture of the young James VI. The plan failed and the leader, the Earl of Gowrie, was later executed.

From this stretch of the road the beauty and interest of the surrounding extensive landscape becomes apparent making this one of the finest scenic walks in the Borders region. In the immediate foreground can be seen undulating land indicative of sand and gravel deposits, the geological legacy of the last Ice Age in Scotland. Here several archaeological remains and interesting examples of wetland flora may be found. Access to this private land is at the discretion of the landowner. Beyond it stretches the unspoilt view of the scenic Tweeddale uplands culminating in the Border Hills and Broughton Heights.

At this point the Roman Road diverges a little to the left while the Old Coach Road proceeds in a straight line towards Dolphinton. It is not difficult to imagine some of the more notable characters of the past travelling along this stretch - Edward I of England, bent on subjugation, with his army marching along to Ayr in 1298, or Mary Queen of Scots on her journey to Biggar in 1567 to meet 18,000 of her loyal subjects as part of her marriage celebrations. The exiled Charles X of France, the last Bourbon King, came to shoot over the moors here, while both Burns and Scott visited the area.

The next farm en route is that of Ingraston (8), a name of Norse origin as is that of Dolphinton, the village ahead. In the 18th Century the land here was farmed by the brothers Alexander who were both killed simultaneously, so the story goes, by adder bites. Inseparable in life they are shown together in death with intertwined arms on a remarkable tombstone in West Linton Old Kirkyard.

Next, after passing the Nick Quarry, is the Old Toll House (9), the 18th Century facade of which has been retained. All vehicles, drovers and travellers passing into Peeblesshire from Lanarkshire by this route would be liable to pay a toll and receive a docket which would exempt them from further tolls within the country. Failure to pay the proper dues would result in a heavy penalty. On approaching the eastern fringes of Dolphinton, turn left along the Garvald Road noting the old Caledonian Railway station on the left.

There is a bus service along the A702 to West Linton or Biggar and timetables are freely obtainable at West Linton Post Office. It may be more convenient to reverse the walk and take the bus outward from West Linton.

For the alternative walk back to West Linton turn right along the Garvald Road and then first right again through Garvald Farm, and along the Right of Way to the North of Mendick Hill. A description of this walk is to be found in 'Prehistoric Walk to West Linton'.

Back